A sharp-shooting Plymouth schoolboy is hoping to represent Great Britain at the next Paralympics.

Aled Griffiths, who attends Devonport High School for Boys, has been recognised as an inspirational figure over the last few years, despite only being 14-years-old. In 2015 he was presented with the prestigious Diana Courageous Citizen Award and in the same year the Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI) presented Aled with a Rotary Young Citizen Award which recognises and rewards young people under the age of 25 who have demonstrated acts of good citizenship.

Aled, of Shortwood Crescent, Plymstock, has VACTERL association which affects around one in 30,000. Each letter in the condition's name stands for a specific abnormality - vertebral defects, anorectal anomalies, cardiac defects, tracheo-oesphageal fistula/oesophageal atresia, renal abnormalities, limb abnormalities.

He was born with a hole in his heart, missing fingers, curvature of the spine, as well as bowel and bladder problems and only one kidney due to the rare medical disorder.

Plymstock boy Aled Griffiths hopes to be at the next Paralympics in Tokyo (Image: Gaile Griffiths)

By the age of two-and-a-half Aled had already endured seven operations, including open heart surgery, three bowel operations, and surgery on his spinal cord.

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Aled became an inspiration to many thousands of people worldwide after he started public speaking at an early age.

Mum Gaile, who is an orthopaedic nurse at Derriford Hospital, said: "I was asked to do a talk on the equipment Aled uses to an Association of Stoma Care Nurses conference of 600 nurses.

Aled is aiming to go to the next Paralympics in Tokyo (Image: Gaile Griffiths)

"Aled asked me why I was doing it when he the one who used the equipment."

As a result, Aled has bravely given a number of talks in front of health professionals and other families of children who have the condition.

In his last year attending Elburton Primary School, he was overwhelmingly voted by his schoolmates to be the person they would most trust and go to for help. He also acts as the children's ambassador for the Mitrofanoff Support Group.

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Despite his disabilities, Aled is also an Explorer scout with 1st Plymstock and a young leader at 1st Elburton Cubs. After seeing his shooting skills in action during a camp trip, the leader of the cub pack, Tina Johnson, put his name forward to the Ivybridge Gun Club where instructor Ian Bradley helped him hone his sharp-shooting skills.

Aled Griffiths has a keen eye on the next two Paralympics (Image: Jon Bishop)

Gaile said: "The first time he fired a weapon was about two years ago. He was allowed to go along on his own so he could try it out. At first he was not sure whether he could hold the rifle or not.

"Since then he's had two shooting camps with the Scouts at Budleigh target shooting centre. He went there with a lot of scouts from all over the area and the owner thought he had potential.

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The teenager went to the Stoke Mandeville stadium in Aylesbury - the national centre for disability sport - in October where he was talent spotted for Team GB Paralympics and could well be in the running to represent Great Britain in the future.

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Ian Bradley, instructor at Ivybridge Gun Club said the entire club was "absolutely thrilled" for Aled.

He said: "I consider it such a privilege to be part of Aled's journey. When Tina (Johnson from 1st Elburton cubs) came to me and said they had this special boy who wanted to shoot, I thought we'd see how we could help him.

"Well, we've been left amazed and astounded at him.

Aled Griffiths is aiming for a shot at the Paralympics (Image: Gaile Griffiths)

"He has become such an integral part of our gun club. He is such an amazing boy. He has come in just days after his surgery and is always ready to offer help and advice to other members of the club.

"He never moans and has always got a smile on his face. He is so obviously a team player. He's just a wonderful lad and when he gets to Tokyo or France I will be there to support him. "

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Paralympic Programme and Pathway Manager, Kapila De Alwis, said: “Aled is a very keen athlete who demonstrated a positive attitude to listen and learn the basics. We are extremely grateful that he has the fullest support from his mum and dad as he continues on his journey to success.

"He is a great addition to our Talent Pathway as we continue to look for talented young athletes in the UK.”

Aled Griffiths aiming to take on the Paralympic world (Image: Jon Bishop)

However, like all budding sports competitors, the training, equipment and travel is set to be a financial drain.

As a result, his family have set up a Go Fund Me page in the hope it can contribute towards the costs of travel and accommodation as he continues his intense training sessions in Aylesbury.

His Scout troop and gun club colleagues have already set up cake sales to raise funds for him and it is hoped some generous Plymouth folk will make his dream of representing his country come true.